Pinch clamp

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a pinch clamp that includes a support leg member and a coupling leg member, which are interconnected by a curved portion, and a generally upwardly extending anchor portion having at least one anchoring flange located at the distal end of the anchor portion. The pinch clamp also contains at least one tabular member which extends outward from the anchor portion, which facilitates opening of the pinch clamp.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/619,701, filed Oct. 18, 2004, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pinch clamps are well known in the art and have been used for many yearsto control the flow of fluids through tubing. Despite the widespread useof pinch clamps, the current devices and methods for opening the pinchclamps are awkward, and sometimes even hazardous, especially when usedon patients in the medical field. When a patient undergoes a medicalprocedure, it is extremely advantageous for the staff to be able toquickly and safely change the flow of fluids without disturbing theorientation of the tubing. Currently available pinch clamps are awkwardand difficult to open one-handed. As seen in FIG. 1C, in order for aperson to open such pinch clamps one-handed, a person must grip thepinch clamp 3 with at least one finger while simultaneously applying aforce to the pinch clamp clasp with the thumb. As shown in FIGS. 1A and1B, one cannot open this particular known pinch clamp with one handwithout firmly gripping the clamp with one's finger(s) while trying toopen the clamp with one's thumb or other finger(s). One attempting toopen this particular known pinch clamp 3 with one hand without firmlygripping the clamp with one's finger(s) while trying to open the clampwith one's thumb or other finger(s) applies a force 2 which causes thepinch clamp to move/slide forward across one's fingers (as shown in FIG.1A by arrow 5 a), or rotate in a circular direction around one's finger(as shown in FIG. 1B by arrow 5 b). When a pinch clamp is used on atubing line in a medical application, it is extremely advantageous forthe staff to be able to quickly and safely open and close a pinch clampthat is installed on the tubing. Since the tubing is typically attachedto a patient, any pushing or pulling on the tubing may be painful orlife-threatening to the patient. Because currently available pinchclamps require that the pinch clamp and associated tubing 6 (See FIG.1C) be firmly grasped, undesirable pushing or pulling on the tubing linemay occur. And because currently available pinch clamps require anawkward and difficult hand and thumb action to open the pinch clamp withone hand, undesirable pushing or pulling on the tubing line 6 may occur.The degree of difficulty to open the present pinch clamp with one handis directly impacted by the size and strength of one's hand. Presentpinch clamps are also more difficult to release when medical staff weargloves, which are typically worn for the protection of the staff and thepatient. Pinch clamps may be used during highly stressful medicalprocedures where every second counts. As such, fumbling with awkwardequipment should be kept to a minimum. Therefore, there is anunfulfilled need for a pinch clamp which is easily manufactureable, easyto use, and that quickly and safely releases without substantiallyaltering the orientation of the tubing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an improved, more ergonomicpinch clamp. An embodiment of the present invention includes a pinchclamp having a support leg member, a coupling leg member capable ofrepeatedly moving between an open position and at least one closedposition, a curved portion interconnecting the support leg member andthe coupling leg member, and an anchor portion having an anchoringflange for retaining the coupling leg member in a closed position, theimprovement of a pair of release tabs that are configured to receivefinger(s) wherein the release tabs cooperate to bend the anchoringportion and release the coupling leg member from the anchoring flangewhen force is applied to the release tabs.

Another embodiment of the present invention generally relates to a pinchclamp that includes a support leg member having a coupling leg memberfacing surface and an outer surface; a coupling leg member having asupport leg member facing surface and an external surface where thecoupling leg member is moveable between an open position and at leastone closed position and vice versa. The coupling leg member or thesupport leg member further includes a pinch portion. The pinch clampfurther includes a curved portion interconnecting the support leg memberand the coupling leg member; an upwardly extending anchor portion havingat least one anchoring flange facing the curved portion and capable ofretaining the coupling leg member when the coupling leg member is in aclosed position; and at least one tabular member engaged with the anchorportion and extending outwardly away from the curved portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side elevational view of a prior art pinch clamp in theclosed position and grasped between a thumb and two other fingers (shownas circles);

FIG. 1B is a side elevational view of a prior art pinch clamp in theclosed position and grasped between a thumb and two other fingers (shownas circles);

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a prior art pinch clamp being graspedto allow the clamp to be opened using the thumb to apply force to theflange of the clamp;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pinch clamp of thepresent invention in the open position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a pinch clamp of the presentinvention in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a pinch clamp of the presentinvention in the process of being opened;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a pinch clamp of the presentinvention in the closed position;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of a pinch clamp of the presentinvention in the open position with alternative positions of the tabularmembers shown in phantom;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pinch clamp according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a pinch clamp shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a pinch clamp according to an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of a pinch clamp according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of the description herein, it is to be understood that thespecific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings anddescribed in the following specification are simply exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims.Hence, specific physical characteristics relating to the embodimentsdisclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claimsexpressly state otherwise.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pinch clamp 20 of the present invention generallyincludes a support leg member 22 and a coupling leg member 24interconnected with a curved portion 26. The support leg member 22contains a coupling leg member facing surface 28 and an outer surface30. The coupling leg member 24 has a support leg member facing surface32 and an external surface 34. The external surface of the coupling leamember includes an anchoring flange engaging portion 35 and a curvedportion engaging section 33 that are in the seine plane as one another.As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling leg member 24 and the support legmember 22 are typically substantially parallel when the coupling legmember 24 is in at least one closed position. As shown in FIG. 2, thecurved portion 26 that interconnects the support leg member 22 and thecoupling leg member 24 contains a curved portion opening 36. The curvedportion opening 36 may be of any size or shape sufficient to receive ahose or other flexible tubing. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the curvedportion opening 36 may alternatively be a C-shaped aperture 38.

Typically, the pinch clamps of the present invention are used inconjunction with soft wall tubing having varying outside and insidediameters. The outside diameters of the tubing utilized are typicallybetween about 1/16 inch and about 1½ inches. The flexible tubing may beconstructed of latex, rubber, silicone, polypropylene, or any othersuitable elastomeric material.

The pinch clamp 20 further includes a coupling leg pinch portion 42engaged to the support leg member facing surface 32 of the coupling legmember 24 and a support leg pinch portion 43 engaged to the coupling legmember facing surface 28 of the support leg member. The coupling legpinch portion 42 and the support leg pinch portion 43 extend inwardgenerally toward one another such that as the coupling leg member isactuated toward the support leg member the pinch portions impede fluidflow through the tubing. When the pinch portions are fully engaged (SeeFIG. 5), the fluid flow is typically impeded, more typically completelystopped. Also, when the pinch portions are fully engaged (See FIG. 5),the pinch portions are substantially aligned, but slightly offset (SeeFIG. 5) or aligned with one another (not shown). Typically, for smallerdiameter flexible tubing, the slightly offset alignment as shown in FIG.5 is utilized. When larger diameter tubing is utilized, the pinchportions are typically more closely aligned with one another.Preferably, each pinch portion is generally triangularly shaped with around point 45 to avoid any potential damage to the tubing from repeateduse of the pinch clamp. Typically, the pinch portions are integral withthe support leg member 22 and the coupling leg member 24, but couldconceivably be separate members engaged with the support leg member 22and the coupling leg member 24. The pinch portion may also be anindentation or depression in the coupling leg member 24 and/or thesupport leg member 22. In an alternative embodiment, a single pinchportion extending inward from one of the coupling leg member facingsurface 28 of the support leg member 22 or the support leg member facingsurface 32 of the coupling leg member 24 may be utilized.

The pinch clamp 20 also includes an upwardly extending anchor portion46, which may be an upwardly extending portion of the support leg memberor may be another member, which is engaged with the coupling leg memberfacing surface 28 of the support leg member 22. The anchor portion 46typically includes a base portion 48 and a distal end portion 50. Whenthe anchor portion 46 is not an upwardly extending portion of thesupport leg member, the base portion 48 engages the coupling leg memberfacing surface 28 of the support leg member and extending upwardly,typically at about 90 degrees. The anchor portion 46 also includes atleast one anchoring flange 52 positioned at least proximate to, buttypically at the distal end portion 50 of the anchor portion 46. Theanchoring flange 52 faces toward the coupling leg member 24 and engagesthe coupling leg member 24 when the coupling leg member 24 is in theclosed position. The anchoring flange has a top surface 51. The anchorportion 46 further includes an opening 54. Opening 54, like curvedportion opening 36, may be of any size or shape significant to receive ahose or other flexible tubing.

The pinch clamp 20 also typically contains a pair of finger actuatedtabular members 58 that extend away from the anchor portion 46 and aretypically approximately perpendicular to the anchor portion 46. Thefinger actuated tabular members 58 typically extend from the distal endportion 50 of the anchor portion 46 and from the base portion 48. Thefinger actuated tabular members 58 are typically integral with theanchor portion 46 and the support leg member 22. The entire clamp 20 istypically one contiguous structure, but may also be constructed ofvarious individual components as well. The tabular members 58 have aninner tabular surface 60 and an outer tabular surface 62. The tabularmembers 58 are typically at least substantially aligned with thecoupling leg member 24 and the support leg member 22 when the couplingleg member 24 is in at least one closed position; however, the tabularmembers 58 may be positioned anywhere along the anchor portion 46 (seeFIG. 6 in phantom) so long as the tabular members 58, when actuatedtoward one another, cause the anchor portion 46 to bend, and therebydisengage the anchoring flange 52 and the coupling leg member 24 fromone another.

As shown in FIGS. 3–5, in order to unimpede the flow in the tubing 44and place the coupling leg member 24 in the open position, substantiallysimultaneous inward forces 49 are applied to the finger actuated tabularmembers 58. This ergonomic design allows for actuation of the anchorportion 46 and thereby the anchoring flange 52 to release the couplingleg member 24 from any angle and eliminate the hand dexterity requiredwhen traditional pinch clamps are utilized. Also, the tabular members 58may be of any desired length depending on the preference of the user,industry, or both. As shown in FIG. 9, an alternative embodimentincludes a single finger actuated tabular member 58 that is typicallypositioned substantially longitudinal with the support leg member 22. Inorder to unimpede flow through the tubing in the alternative embodimentwith a single finger actuated tabular member 58, sufficient simultaneousinward force should be applied to the finger actuated tabular member 58and the distal end portion 50. As shown in FIG. 2 and other figures,another alternative embodiment includes a series of ridges 64 that atleast partially covers the outer tabular surface(s) 62. Ridges 64 mayalso be present on the external surface 34 of the coupling member 24.The ridges 64 function to provide a more secure grip when a finger isused to apply force to the surface containing the ridges. Ridges areoptional.

In the present invention, the anchor portion 46 and the tabular members58 are interconnected when the coupling leg member 24 is in the openposition. The pinch clamp 20 is preferably made of injected moldedplastic material, but may be made from other materials that aresufficiently dexterous and durable such as a metal. Another alternativeembodiment includes a pinch clamp 20 made of material that is coloredwith a dye. Pinch clamps of varying colors may be used to signifydifferent fluids in the hose or tubing or for the purpose of the hose ortubing. This can be of particular importance in the medical field.

As shown in FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment includes a plurality ofanchoring flanges 53 located at the distal end portion 50 of the anchorportion 46. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an alternative embodiment of theanchor portion opening 54 may be a C-shaped aperture 56. The C-shapedaperture 56 of the anchor portion 46 and the C-shaped aperture 38 of thecurved portion 26, when utilized together, allows the pinch clamp to beinstalled or otherwise placed on the tubing without being threaded orotherwise fed onto the tubing. This is advantageous, for example, whenthe tubing ends have already been connected in a system such as alaboratory apparatus setup. In such an instance, the clamp cannot bethreaded or otherwise fed through the apertures unless at least one endof the tubing is disconnected.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodimentsonly. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in theart and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it isunderstood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and describedabove are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit thescope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims asinterpreted according to the principles of patent law, including thedoctrine of equivalents.

1. A pinch clamp comprising: a support leg member comprising a couplingleg member facing surface and an outer surface; a coupling leg membercomprising a support member facing surface and an external surface,wherein the coupling member is capable of moving between an openposition and at least one closed position and vice versa and wherein thecoupling and support leg members are substantially parallel when thecoupling leg member is in at least one of the closed positions whereinat least the coupling leg member or the support leg member furthercomprises a pinch portion; a curved portion interconnecting the supportleg member and the coupling leg member to form a substantially U-shapedclamp body and comprising a curved portion opening; an upwardlyextending anchor portion comprising a base portion, a distal endportion, at least one anchoring flange, and an anchor portion openingwherein the anchor portion extends upwardly from the support leg memberand wherein the at least one anchoring flange faces the curved portion,is positioned at least proximate to the distal end portion of the anchorportion, and is capable of retaining the coupling leg member when thecoupling leg member is in the at least one closed position; a pair offinger actuated tabular members engaged with the anchor portion whereinthe tabular members extend away from the curved portion, and wherein thepair of finger actuated tabular members are adapted to be actuated byapplying forces to the tabular members that cause the anchor portion tobend away from the coupling leg member and disengage the coupling legmember from at least one anchoring flange when the coupling leg memberis in the closed position; and wherein the anchor portion extendsupwardly substantially perpendicularly from the coupling leg memberfacing surface of the support leg member, and wherein the anchorportion, the support leg member, and one of the pair of finger actuatedtabular members form a T-shaped juncture.
 2. The pinch clamp of claim 1,wherein one of the tabular members engages the distal end portion of theanchor portion and the other tabular member engages the support legmember thereby extending the support leg member beyond the anchoringportion or engages the base portion of the anchor portion; wherein thetabular members are at least substantially parallel with the couplingleg member and the support leg member when the coupling leg member is inat least one closed position; and wherein the anchor portion and thetabular members are interconnected when the coupling leg member is inthe open position.
 3. The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein the tabularmembers further comprise an inner tabular surface and an outer tabularsurface and wherein the outer tabular surface of at least one of thetabular members comprises ridges.
 4. The pinch clamp of claim 1, whereinthe curved portion opening comprises a C-shaped opening, wherein theanchor portion opening comprises a C-shaped aperture, wherein the curvedportion opening and the anchor portion opening are substantially alignedand capable of receiving a hose or flexible tubing; and wherein thefinger actuated tabular members are adapted to be actuated from anyangle by applying substantially simultaneous inward forces; and whereinthe external surface of the coupling leg member includes an anchoringflange engaging portion and a curved portion engaging section that arein the same plane as one another.
 5. The pinch clamp of claim 1, whereinthe coupling leg member includes a pinch portion and the support legmember includes a pinch portion.
 6. The pinch clamp of claim 5, whereinthe pinch portions are substantially triangular and are at leastsubstantially aligned when the coupling leg member is in the closedposition.
 7. The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein the at least oneanchoring flange comprises a plurality of adjacent anchoring flanges. 8.The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein the curved portion opening and theanchor portion opening are at least substantially aligned and capable ofreceiving flexible tubing having an outside diameter of from 1/16 inchto 1½ inches, and wherein the external surface of the coupling legmember includes an anchoring flange engaging portion and a curvedportion engaging section that are in the same plane as one another, andwherein the pair of finger actuated tabular members are substantiallyparallel to each other.
 9. The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein theupwardly extending anchor portion comprises an upwardly extendingportion of the support leg member.
 10. The pinch clamp of claim 1,wherein the upwardly extending anchor portion engages the coupling legmember facing surface of the support leg member.
 11. The pinch clamp ofclaim 1, wherein the coupling leg member includes a pinch portion andthe support leg member includes a pinch portion and the pinch portionsare at least substantially aligned and extend inward from the couplingleg member facing surface of the support leg member and the support legmember facing surface of the coupling leg member.
 12. A pinch clamp forpinching and releasing tubing comprising: a support leg membercomprising a coupling leg member facing surface and an outer surface; acoupling leg member comprising a support leg member facing surface andan external surface, wherein the coupling leg member is moveable betweenan open position and at least one closed position and vice versa andwherein the coupling and support leg members are substantially parallelwhen the coupling leg member is in at least one closed position whereinat least the coupling leg member or the support leg member furthercomprises a pinch portion; a curved portion interconnecting the supportleg member and the coupling leg member wherein the curved portioncomprises an opening; an upwardly extending anchor portion comprising abase portion, a distal end portion, at least one anchoring flange, andan anchor portion opening wherein the anchor portion extends upwardlyfrom the support leg member and wherein the at least one anchoringflange faces the curved portion, is positioned at least proximate to thedistal end portion of the anchor portion, and is capable of retainingthe coupling leg member when the coupling leg member is in the at leastone closed position; and a first tabular member engaged with the baseportion of the anchor portion and extending outwardly away from thecurved portion; a second tabular member engaged with the distal endportion of the anchor portion; and wherein the anchor portion and thetabular members are interconnected when the coupling leg member is inthe open position and wherein the first and second tabular members areadapted to be actuated by applying substantially simultaneous inwardforces to the tabular members that cause the anchor portion to bend awayfrom the coupling leg member and disengage the coupling leg member fromthe at least one anchoring flange and wherein the external surface ofthe coupling leg member includes an anchoring flange engaging portionand a curved portion engaging section that are in the same plane as oneanother, and wherein the upwardly extending anchor portion, the supportleg member, and the tabular member engaged with the base portion of theanchor portion form a T-shaped juncture.
 13. The pinch clamp of claim12, wherein the curved portion opening comprises a C-shaped aperture,the anchor portion opening comprises a C-shaped aperture, and whereinthe C-shaped apertures are substantially aligned and capable ofreceiving a hose or flexible tubing through the open side of theC-shaped apertures.
 14. The pinch clamp of claim 12, wherein thecoupling leg member includes a pinch portion extending toward thesupport member and the support leg member includes a pinch portionextending toward the coupling member and wherein the external surface ofthe coupling leg member includes an anchoring flange engaging portionand a curved portion engaging section that are in the same plane as oneanother.
 15. The pinch clamp of claim 12, wherein the at least oneanchoring flange comprises a plurality of adjacent anchoring flanges.16. The pinch clamp of claim 12, wherein the curved portion opening andthe anchor portion opening are at least substantially aligned andcapable of receiving flexible tubing having an outside diameter of from1/16 inch to 1½ inches and wherein the second tabular member is at leastsubstantially aligned with the coupling leg member when the coupling legmember is in at least one closed position.
 17. A method of using a pinchclamp comprising the steps of: providing a pinch clamp comprising: asupport leg member comprising a coupling leg member facing surface andan outer surface; a coupling leg member comprising a support leg memberfacing surface and an external surface, wherein the coupling leg memberis moveable between an open position and at least one closed positionand wherein the coupling and support leg members are substantiallyparallel when the coupling leg member is in at least one closed positionwherein at least the coupling leg member or the support leg memberfurther comprises a pinch portion; a curved portion interconnecting thesupport leg member and the coupling leg member wherein the curvedportion comprises an opening; an upwardly extending anchor portioncomprising a base portion, a distal end portion, at least one anchoringflange, and an anchor portion opening wherein the anchor portion extendsupwardly from the support leg member and wherein the at least oneanchoring flange faces the curved portion, is positioned at leastproximate to the distal end portion of the anchor portion, and iscapable of retaining the coupling leg member when the coupling legmember is in the at least one closed position; a tabular member engagedwith the base portion of the anchor portion and extending outwardly awayfrom the curved portion; and a tabular member engaged with the distalend portion of the anchor portion wherein the base portion of the anchorportion and the tabular members are interconnected when the coupling legmember is in the open position; and wherein the upwardly extendinganchor portion, the support leg member, and the tabular member engagedwith the anchor portion form a T-shaped juncture; actuating the couplingmember to thereby engage at least one anchoring flange; and applyingsubstantially simultaneous inward forces to the tabular members thatcause the anchor portion to bend away from the coupling leg member anddisengage the coupling leg member from the at least one anchoringflange, and allow the coupling member to return to the open position.18. The method of using a pinch clamp of claim 17, wherein the externalsurface of the coupling leg member includes an anchoring flange engagingportion and a curved portion engaging section that are in the same planeas one another and wherein the at least one tabular member of the pinchclamp comprises a pair of tabular members and wherein one of the tabularmembers engages the distal end portion of the anchor portion, and one ofthe tabular members engage the base portion of the anchor portion andwherein the step of applying a force that actuates the distal end of theanchoring portion and a force to one of the tabular members comprisesapplying a force to each tabular member that causes the anchor portionto bend away from the coupling leg member.